UW Infirmary

The opening week win however came with some bad news this week for the Dawgs.

Who: Jesse Callier, starting tailback

Callier and Bishop Sankey were by all accounts 1a and 1b on the depth chart. The plan was for them to split carries, but now the Huskies will rely heavily on Sankey for the ground attack.

True freshman Erich Wilson II and sophomore Willis Wilson may even see time, as they did briefly against SDSU.

Immediate Impact:

This was the sting in the tail of the opening day win. The running game was already the weaker half of our offense, and now it’s even more asymmetric.

The Huskies may have to play Wilson & Wilson (no relation) more, but both are even more inexperienced than Sankey.

This puts more pressure on Keith Price and the passing game.

The only good news is Callier can redshirt this year.

Who: Hau’oli Jamora, starting defensive end

Jamora tore his his ACL last Saturday and is done for the year. Sophomores Josh Shirley and Evan Hudson will presumably get more playing time on the other side of Talia Crichton.

Jamora tore his his ACL, Callier done for the year, Sark has some issues early in the year…

Immediate Impact:

Jamora had a solid freshman year, but is gone for the season and it is uncertain as to whether he gets a medical redshirt. He was a solid young player primed to have a great season. However, he was not a pivotal part of the defense.

The Husky D should still have some sting.

Who: Ben Riva, starting right tackle

The first-time starting sophomore was playing well in the season-opener until he fractured his right arm. He’s out for an undetermined period of time, but it’ll be at least a few weeks.

Junior Eric Kohler, formerly the right guard, will most likely fill in with James Atoe stepping up at right guard.

Immediate Impact:

This is a blow, no doubt about it. Keith Price got hit repeatedly against San Diego State, and the two-headed running attack of the Huskies was just cut in half. Now protecting Price and establishing the run against an athletic LSU defense will both be more difficult.

The Huskies are going up against a national contender tomorrow, and doing so with a wounded offensive line, pass rush, and running game.

A win was always unlikely, but a respectable loss is still possible, which would put the Huskies at a very reasonable 1-1, heading into a cupcake game at Portland State before conference play starts.

Keys to the game, and the rest of the season, will be for the rest of the line and Bishop Sankey to step up in the face of adversity.